Dr. Paul Melendez, director of the ethics program at the University of Arizona, made a special trip to the upper school on March 15 to meet with several students and chat with members of the Honor Council.

While meeting with the Honor Council, Melendez learned just how much academic integrity matters to the student body. “He was definitely surprised that students were so involved with both the disciplinary and integrity-promoting aspects of the process,” said Honor Council member Olivia Zhu, Gr. 11.

The Honor Council used this unique opportunity to seek advice on accomplishing its goals. “He really suggested making honor and integrity a bigger part of daily life and raising it in the students’ awareness, which is exactly what the Honor Council hopes to do,” Zhu said.

During his visit, Melendez also met with the Honor Board to examine their approach to academic honesty, and spoke to the faculty before returning to Arizona.

“I thought his visit was a huge success, as he left us with a lot to think about and really a big pat on the back for the Honor Council’s and Honor Board’s vision,” said Butch Keller, upper school division head.